Rep. John Shadegg picked up two more key endorsements:
Two House Republicans who pushed to keep Representative Tom DeLay from regaining his post as majority leader threw their support for the job behind Representative John Shadegg of Arizona on Tuesday, portraying him as the candidate who represents a true change in party direction.
“If you care about reform and you want a fresh face, this is the man to support,” said Representative Charles Bass, who was joined by Representative Jeff Flake in endorsing Mr. Shadegg over the two other candidates: Roy Blunt of Missouri, the acting majority leader, and John A. Boehner of Ohio.
There was no surprise in the pledge by Mr. Flake, like Mr. Shadegg an Arizona conservative. But Mr. Bass, of New Hampshire, is a moderate leader in the House, and he acknowledged that it would be hard for some to accept his support of Mr. Shadegg, arguably the most conservative of the contenders.
Mr. Bass said that he did not see significant ideological differences among the three and that Mr. Shadegg had made a stronger commitment to “bring transparency, accountability and necessary disclosure back to the legislative scene here in Washington.”
Good.
erez
I find that encouraging… It baffles me why the Republican Party would ever support Roy Blunt if they are so concerned about reform. But, then again, maybe I just answered my question.
Lines
At least Shadegg has the smallest taint
LITBMueller
I wonder if anyone in the MSM will grow a big enough brain to ask Mr. Shadegg about why he supported a massive federal land giveaway to the Arizona Cotton Growers Association, a lobbying organization for an industry that is heavily subsidized?
Or about why Shadegg saw fit to attended meetings and meals sponsored by the lobbying firm Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates, a big lobbying firm that pushes Hong Kong issues?
Or what Shadegg is doing in this picture with the members of an Arizona lobbyist and The Hammer himself?
Or why Shadegg attended a highly criticized event organized by the energy industry and the former communications director for Vice President Dick Cheney’s controversial energy task force and held at Phoenix’s posh Biltmore Hotel (Shadegg has also accepted thousands from PACs representing the energy companies that attended the fundraiser and conference).
I bet they won’t bring these things up….
Every politician has a taint. It all depends on how closely you look for it. ;)
Pb
The lesser of three evils, eh? If they were really looking for some restraint and integrity, they’d get Ron Paul in there. :)
Zerthimon
I think people are being incredibily myopic in their view of Shadeagg. Yes he’s the least tainted by this scandal, but he is extremely fiscally conservative. Shadegg seems the kind of person who will make massive cuts in programs that benefit the poor and needy. And while maybe it will help Republicans remove the taint of the Abramoff scandal, it will just further reinforce the country’s belief that the Republican party doesn’t care about the poor,sick, or elderly.
MAX HATS
Gross.
Mac Buckets
Sorry, but the only people who believe that tripe are the Kool-Aid Democrats, anyway. As if no Republicans are poor, sick, or elderly…
Pablo
Good for them. Blunt would be a disaster.
rilkefan
Abramoff may have taken down Livingston for DeLay.
Pablo
Because they’re his constituents. That’s what Reps do, bring the bacon home.
Because he was curious/hungry. Is there any evidence of any other motivation?
He appears to be standing. Posing, even.
He attended a highly criticized event!?! We’d better hand him til he’s dead, just to be safe.
Pablo
Doh! hang him til he’s dead
DougJ
John, when Shadegg loses, could you write the headline “Shadeggy Shattered”?
Don’t you know the crime rates going up, up, up, up, up!
rilkefan
Somehow I think this is more of a Beatles blog.
LITBMueller
Pablo, I’m just asking questions. I never said there was proof of anything. These are legitimate questions to be asked of someone who is being championed as someone who will “bring transparency, accountability and necessary disclosure back to the legislative scene here in Washington.”
Pb
Mac Buckets,
Well, you’ll get there, if you cut enough out of food stamps, medicare, medicaid, social security, disaster relief, veteran’s benefits, presecription drug coverage, etc…
Pablo
LITBMueller, those are the likely answers. Do they suffice?
LITBMueller
Sure, Pablo, I’m just nice and happy now!!! Thanks!! Hadn’t thought of those!
Its nice to know that Congress will always “behave” when it comes to their interactions with lobbyists because there are people like you watching them so closely and thinking about potential ethics issues.
Thanks again!
DougJ
That is some Grade A snark. Best I’ve seen in a while.
Pablo
LITBMueller, I’ll keep an eye on my lobbyist if you’ll keep an eye on yours. Deal?
DougJ
I’m thinking now that Shaboody Shaddeg is a little better.